Ballard swept a doubleheader over Perry on Thursday night at Progressive Field by scores of 9-7 and 4-3. The first game was a makeup for their June 11th meeting which was postponed due to weather. Perry senior Will Whiton connected on a grand slam in the 4th inning, and sophomore Kyle Nevitt added two hits, but Perry committed seven errors in the contest. The Ballard offense plated three runs in the 6th and two in the 7th, ignited by a three-run triple from Marcus Chieves. Kai Reinertson tossed a complete game for the Bombers, improving to 4-3 on the year, while Zach Roberts surrendered seven runs in 5 innings, dropping to 2-1 on the season.

The nightcap was decided on a bases-loaded RBI by Ballard freshman Gannon Manufull in the bottom of the 7th inning. Nic Wilhelmi knotted the score in the top of the 6th on a fielder’s choice after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Junior pitcher Alex Long struck out six Ballard hitters in six innings of work, but was replaced in 7th-inning jam by Janier Puente. Austin Edward gets credited for the win after allowing just two runs on two hits in a six-inning relief appearance. Ballard moves to 4-7 in the Raccoon River Conference, while Perry drops to 5-7 after losing three straight this week. Perry returns to action on Monday against Grinnell.